Results 18,601-18,620 of 18,738 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (17 Jul 2024)

Michael McDowell: If we take An Taisce, which, as a prescribed body, has to be consulted on some issues-----

Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (17 Jul 2024)

Michael McDowell: I have asked a simple question of principle. I am being told it cannot be answered because the Minister of State has not looked at practical examples. In setting out the Attorney Genera's advice, she stated the following: Unless and until a Minister makes the regulation, every iteration of the draft regulation, stamped or unstamped, is subject to legal professional privilege and cannot be...

Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (17 Jul 2024)

Michael McDowell: However, in the meantime, we will see nothing until it is law.

Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (17 Jul 2024)

Michael McDowell: We are talking about similar-----

Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (17 Jul 2024)

Michael McDowell: I know that, but Senator Ward is no more important than Senator O’Reilly, me or any other Senator.

Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (17 Jul 2024)

Michael McDowell: This is a Seanad committee and we are entitled to deal with our business without regard to what is happening in the Seanad chamber.

Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (17 Jul 2024)

Michael McDowell: First of all-----

Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (17 Jul 2024)

Michael McDowell: Let me put the Minister of State’s mind to rest. I have no doubt that she is trying to do her best on this. I have no doubt about her good faith or have ever implied the opposite.

Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (17 Jul 2024)

Michael McDowell: I am deeply concerned about what I am reading because it reflects the Attorney General’s view of this matter. That is what I am worried about. The Minister of State said a number of times that all directives were the outcome of a legislative process. That is true up to a point, in that they are considered by the European Parliament, but many directives give to member states...

Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (17 Jul 2024)

Michael McDowell: No, let me finish. The member state has the primary duty to legislate on foot of directives. This is primary legislation, done by statutory instrument. It is law and I just want to emphasise that to the Minister of State.

Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (17 Jul 2024)

Michael McDowell: There is one other thing. We do not intend to take part in the legislative process. Our function is extremely limited. It is to look at a draft statutory instrument and to say that this is of sufficient importance. This is all we can do. We can look at it and say that the sectoral committee should be warned in advance that something is coming down the track. That committee should ask...

Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments: Engagement with Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (17 Jul 2024)

Michael McDowell: Exactly, I am making every allowance for that.

Seanad: Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (17 Jul 2024)

Michael McDowell: This legislation is being rushed through. It is wrong in principle to bring a Bill to Dáil Éireann to deal with adding new judges, tinkering with the firearms Act and so on and to then throw into it an entirely new provision on the revocation of citizenship. It is wrong in principle to attempt to do that. Whatever urgency there is in dealing with the Damache case, that urgency...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (24 Sep 2024)

Michael McDowell: I intend moving amendment No. 70 in my name which is to remove a reference. I want to say a few words about this Bill. I fully recognise that the former Attorney General, Mr. Paul Gallagher SC, embarked on a massive task in seeking to consolidate planning law and to update it in the manner that this Bill provides. It was a project which he took personal interest in. It is impressive in...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (24 Sep 2024)

Michael McDowell: There are experts running around Dún Laoghaire trying to find bats and putting up microphones to see if they can hear bats in any part of Dún Laoghaire in order to object to planning applications and to foot-trip the planning process. There are people who have made money out of objections to planning developments in which they have no real legitimate interest. I accept that all of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2024)

Michael McDowell: Hear, hear.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2024)

Michael McDowell: I am opposed to the Order of Business as proposed by the Leader. To guillotine the Planning and Development Bill in the manner proposed is a crass insult to the House. The Bill costs a layperson €71 to purchase. It was brought through Dáil Éireann and into this House, we were given two days to consider, I believe, 664 amendments to it, and Committee Stage was guillotined...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2024)

Michael McDowell: I do not know why Opposition Senators should even bother attending the debate. We have reached the point where their views are being rubbished. This House is the ultimate rubber stamp. This is being done by the Leader. No notice was given to the leaders and Whips that this guillotine would happen. There has been no consultation of any kind whatsoever. The first that I, as Whip of our...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2024)

Michael McDowell: I am sorry, but------

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2024)

Michael McDowell: I am going to be a little bit disorderly. The Cathaoirleach knows that I respect the Chair-----